Andy Murray gives verdict after speculation on his retirement

• Murray is a two-time Wimbledon winner and is an unseeded choice for the illustrious tournament now on course
• The retirement talks stem from his past decision to quit tennis only to make a comeback later
• A hip surgery he got in 2019 gave him a lease of life with tennis

Despite the perceived bleak future for Andy Murray in tennis, he has discounted reports that the 2023 Wimbledon is his last as he heads to retirement.

Murray, a two-time Wimbledon winner, is an unseeded choice for the illustrious tournament now on course.

He says that although his tennis success is not as great as it was before, he is hopeful about his chances. The retirement talks stem from his past decision to quit tennis only to make a comeback later.

WHY DID ANDY MURRAY RETIRE IN 2019?

Murray, 36, announced his retirement from the sport in a sad statement in 2019 owing to complications brought on by a debilitating hip injury. Long-standing hip problems had a significant negative effect on Murray’s performance and his capacity to compete at the highest level.

British tennis player Andy Murray. Photo/The Indian Express

So, in January 2019 he told tennis fans that he was bowing out of tennis. He considered it a premature retirement and it pained him. There were concerns over whether Murray would ever be able to play professional tennis again after undergoing numerous operations and going through a taxing rehabilitation procedure.

WHEN DID ANDY MURRAY COME BACK FROM RETIREMENT?

His tenacity and love for the game inspired him to make a comeback in tennis and he got a second chance in June 2019 after the hip surgery. Murray staged his comeback on the tennis court, playing in doubles competitions.

He won the men’s doubles title at the 2019 European Open alongside Feliciano López. He also enjoyed success in multiple partnerships with various players. Murray’s progress inspired him to continue his singles career at the Cincinnati Masters in August 2019.

He persisted and kept working on his physical and mental health despite the first difficulties he had and his struggles to get back into his previous shape. In 2020, Murray mirrored his former self before injury by achieving big victories and showcasing his tennis prowess.

In addition to winning a competition in Antwerp, he made it to the Rotterdam Open final. The past years haven’t been as rosy but he still shows up and does his best. Nevertheless, he is now upbeat about the future which is why he is ruling out retirement.

HOW SUCCESSFUL IS ANDY MURRAY’S TENNIS CAREER?

Andy Murray is a three-time Grand Slam champion. He also reached the top of the global rankings as the world No.1 and he carved up a career that positions him among the greats of the sport.

Murray touted to be an expert on grass courts, fiercely competed against Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic during his prime. But he is now a member of a group being tested by young, rising players like Carlos Alcaraz.

While Nadal is injured and intends to retire, and Federer retired already; Djokovic remains as the favourite to win the 2023 Wimbledon.

WILL ANDY MURRAY PLAY AT WIMBLEDON?

Andy Murray. Photo/ Daily Express.

The British tennis star is hopeful that he will further his tennis career while crossing his fingers not to suffer another hip injury because it will end his tennis career. One of the big lessons he has learnt is to make the most of situations when he can because an injury can take it all in a day.

“I hope not, but you never know. It’s why athletes need to make the most of it while they’re still able to because if I was to have another big injury or if something happened to the metal hip that would be me finished,” he told Sky Sports.

“I wouldn’t try to come back from another operation or major surgery again so I want to keep playing a bit longer. I know it’s not going to be going on forever but I have an idea of when I would like to finish and it’s not this year’s Wimbledon,” he stated.

Speaking plainly about his retirement, Murray said it’s a difficult choice to make regardless of one’s experience in tennis. Moreover, it is hard for him to give a clear timeline for his exit from tennis.

“There’s no right or wrong way of finishing your career and it’s always a really difficult one for athletes,” he remarked.